CVE-2017-7424 in Enterprise Developer
Summary
by MITRE
A Path Traversal (CWE-22) vulnerability in esfadmingui in Micro Focus Enterprise Developer and Enterprise Server 2.3, 2.3 Update 1 before Hotfix 8, and 2.3 Update 2 before Hotfix 9 allows remote authenticated users to download arbitrary files from a system running the product, if this component is configured. Note esfadmingui is not enabled by default.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7424 represents a critical path traversal flaw classified under CWE-22 within the esfadmingui component of Micro Focus Enterprise Developer and Enterprise Server products. This security weakness affects versions 2.3, 2.3 Update 1 before Hotfix 8, and 2.3 Update 2 before Hotfix 9, creating a significant risk for systems where the affected component has been manually enabled. The vulnerability operates by allowing remote authenticated users to exploit improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied paths, enabling attackers to manipulate file access requests and potentially retrieve sensitive system files. The esfadmingui component serves as an administrative interface but remains disabled by default, making the vulnerability contingent upon specific misconfigurations that enable its functionality.
The technical exploitation of this path traversal vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted requests that manipulate directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate outside the intended directory structure. When the affected component processes these requests without proper validation, it allows attackers to access files that should remain restricted, potentially including configuration files, source code, database files, or other sensitive data. The authenticated nature of the attack requires that users possess valid credentials, but this requirement does not prevent the vulnerability from being exploited effectively, as attackers can leverage legitimate user accounts to gain unauthorized access to system resources. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input sanitization practices that permit arbitrary file system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and system compromise. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive information such as database credentials, application source code, or system configuration details that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in enterprise server environments poses particular risks as these systems often contain critical business data and sensitive operational information. The affected products are commonly used in enterprise environments where security controls may not be adequately implemented, making the exploitation of such vulnerabilities particularly dangerous. Organizations running these specific versions without proper patching or configuration hardening are at significant risk of data breaches and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7424 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the available hotfixes for each supported version, specifically Hotfix 8 for 2.3 Update 1 and Hotfix 9 for 2.3 Update 2. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected component and ensure that the esfadmingui interface remains disabled unless absolutely necessary for administrative functions. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation controls, monitoring for suspicious file access patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify misconfigurations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers may exploit legitimate credentials to access the vulnerable interface. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and access control lists to prevent unauthorized access attempts to the administrative interface, while maintaining detailed logging of all administrative activities for security monitoring purposes.